That a young child lost her life on July 20, 2021, at the Land of Illusion Adventure Park is devastating. All of us who work there grieve with the family and offer our prayers for strength at this time of unimaginable loss and pain. It is heartbreak no family should have to endure. It is also an experience that will forever impact every one of our team members, guests and first responders who joined or witnessed the rescue effort.
Cooperating with the authorities evaluating the events of that day and supporting our team members have been our priority. We are committed to supporting whatever investigations are required and proceeding with care and compassion for the grief that still hangs heavy over our community.
Our park has received many calls offering support. We appreciate the kind words shared in social media for the family of the young girl who lost her life, our team members and first responders. We are especially thankful to the many community groups and churches who are assisting our team members and first responders. While we’ve been cooperating with state and local officials since the incident, out of respect for the family we have not communicated about specific details of the July 20 tragedy. However, as the manager of the park I feel the need to address some of the confusion and concerns that understandably exist.
Commitment to safety
Our owner was a volunteer firefighter in Madison Township for 27 years. He opened Land of Illusion initially as a fundraiser for the local fire department. I share this because we prioritize issues regarding the safety of our guests and our employees. Extensive training and daily equipment checks are mandatory. We have invested in rescue equipment and specialized tools, including an AED defibrillator and a special swim chair designed for lake water rescue. Not only does our park satisfy all applicable regulations, we go above and beyond because of our commitment to safety. All park equipment in operation and available to guests also satisfies all applicable regulations.
We put extensive rules and requirements in place at Aqua Adventures Park for the safety of our guests. They are provided upon entry and posted in the park. We provide and fit guests with Coast Guard-approved life jackets. We devote extensive time, training and resources to limit risk to our visitors.
The July 20 incident
We have never had a tragedy like this at the Aqua Adventures Park. Contrary to some news media or social media reports, the incident did not occur on or near any of the park’s water inflatables. It did not occur on or near the Wibit apparatus.
While investigators will address the specifics of the incident in their official reports, we again want to express deep appreciation to our team and the first responders for their heroic efforts.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Our entire team grieves with the family and you and is deeply saddened by the awful tragedy that prompted this letter. Land of Illusion will continue to work with all appropriate officials throughout their investigations. We remain committed to being a fun and safe family destination.
Ryan Perry
Manager
Land of Illusion Adventure Park
For any additional inquires or updates please email [email protected]